Shawl, sweater & a topi!

Since I've been MIA is such a bad way, I thought I'd do a big a$S post today.

The red lace shawl was knitted by my friend in Portland who knits lace so fast, her fingers make a buzzing sound. I believe she used the Rock Island pattern. She used a silk wool lace blend that I had hand dyed. In case you're wondering, yes, this yarn went to the US & then came back to the UK as a shawl. Some yarns have all the luck.

The brown sweater was knitted by me with left over hand dyed sock yarn held double. I used the Cosy V neck pattern but modified it. This pattern is amazingly simple & fun to make. I knitted the sleeves in the round, however.

The little beret was knitted from a handspun I made by blending a couple of rovings from my Etsy shop. The pattern was a slightly modified yummy-beret pattern.

Finished - The Candy Stripes hat.

I love, love, loved knitting this pattern. The hat turned out fun & versatile & I learnt a ton of new knitting techniques thanks to the beautifully written pattern with links to youtube video help. Thanks Tori!

I spun the yarn out of Arctic Winds for the main body and this roving for the trim.
The yarn was only slightly off in the gauge (18st & 24rows = 4”), so I had to work out the math on an excel sheet.
The mother of pearl buttons are from twpmango on Etsy.

I'll definitely be making this hat again. Possibly in more saturated colors.

 

Sweaters knit for me.

So I'm back from my assignment & learnt to knit while I was in India.
Below are pictures of sweaters that a talented friend knitted for me from the hand spun yarn I took to her.
Details of yarn/fiber and patterns used are listed below each series of images.
Models: Tas & Jo.

Yarn used: My hand dyed sock yarn knit in 2 strands.

Quantity of yarn: Four 3 oz skeins of 275 yards each.

Pattern: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62762375/pdf-pattern-funnel-neck-top

Yarn used: Yarn I spun in bulky worsted weight from http://www.etsy.com/listing/55738348/merino-roving-dance-of-monsoon-textured

Quantity of yarn: 15 oz.

Patten used: http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/raglan.html

Yarn used: Hand spun bulky worsted 2 ply spun with one strand of http://www.etsy.com/listing/56811629/merino-roving-pink-dust-semi-solid and one strand of http://www.etsy.com/listing/53575228/merino-silk-roving-pearls-for-the

Quantity of yarn: 13 oz.

Pattern used: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62656753/pattern-oatmeal-pullover

Yarn used: 2 ply worsted bulky that I spun from http://www.etsy.com/listing/34285609/merino-silk-roving-amethyst-smoke-semi

Quantity of yarn: 8 oz.

Pattern used: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62476618/pattern-bazan

The neck warmer & the magic garden!

Below are images of a neck warmer my friend Gauri made from the yarn I gave her while she was visiting me last summer. I had spun & dyed the yarn earlier.


Gauri knits fast & keeps to small projects. She picked up knitting by herself & follows patterns much better than I do. The neck warmer pictures were taken by Gauri.





I love the slubbiness of the yarn in the neck warmer!




Before Gauri visited me, I had visited her in Philadelphia in 2005. We visited Isaiah Zagar's 'magic garden' on South Street. I was SO blown away by it. He's transformed the neighborhood over the past many years with his mosaic murals. The mural photos were taken by Gauri & me (not sure who took which).

New yarns in Shop!

Announcing an update on Yarn Ahoy's Etsy shop – Monsoon Winds:

Superwash sock yarns in gorgeous new color ways – Merino & also the Tencel/Merino blend.

Lace yarns in Zephyr Silk/Wool & Superlamb.

Handspun yarns in thick'n'thin, tweed, worsted & novelty.

Email me at mayacrafts (at) gmail (dot) com to join the mailing list & get a 'new-member' 10% DISCOUNT on your first purchase of yarns!

Shop update!

MORE NEW YARNS

Still more new yarns in the shop!
Email me to sign up for the YARN AHOY mailing list & get a 20% DISCOUNT on your next purchase!The mailing list will provide updates to new yarns, fibers & deals available at my shop Yarn Ahoy!.